Famous Games That you DIDN’T know started as mods for other games

Here’s a list of famous games that originated as mods (modifications) of other games. These games not only gained immense popularity but also significantly influenced the gaming industry:

. “Counter-Strike” (Originally a Mod of “Half-Life”):
Initially released as a mod for Valve’s “Half-Life,” Counter-Strike quickly became one of the most popular and influential first-person shooters. Its success led to its acquisition by Valve and the development of multiple sequels.

• “Dota 2” (Originally a Mod of “Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos”):
  “Dota 2” started as a mod called “Defense of the Ancients” for Blizzard’s “Warcraft III.” This mod is credited with popularizing the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre, leading to the standalone sequel “Dota 2” developed by Valve.

• “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)” (Inspired by mods from “ARMA 2” and “Minecraft”):
  PUBG was heavily influenced by mods such as “DayZ” (a mod of “ARMA 2”) and the “Hunger Games” mod in “Minecraft.” It became a defining game in the battle royale genre.

• “DayZ” (Originally a Mod of “ARMA 2”):
  Starting as a mod for the tactical shooter “ARMA 2,” DayZ popularized the zombie survival genre in gaming. Its success led to the development of a standalone game under the same name.
  

• “Team Fortress 2” (Originally a Mod of “Quake”):
  Before becoming a standalone title by Valve, Team Fortress started as a mod for “Quake.” It was later remade as “Team Fortress Classic” for “Half-Life” before evolving into “Team Fortress 2.”

• “Garry’s Mod” (Originally a Mod of “Half-Life 2”):
  This is a physics sandbox game that started as a mod of “Half-Life 2.” Garry’s Mod allows players to manipulate objects and experiment with physics, leading to its standalone release.
  

• “The Stanley Parable” (Originally a Mod of “Half-Life 2”): Initially a mod for “Half-Life 2,” The Stanley Parable is an interactive storytelling and walking simulator. The mod’s success led to the development of a standalone game.

• “Chivalry: Medieval Warfare” (Originally a Mod of “Half-Life 2”):
  Known as “Age of Chivalry” when it was a mod, this game focused on medieval combat. Its popularity led to the development of “Chivalry: Medieval Warfare,” a standalone game.

• “Killing Floor” (Originally a Mod of “Unreal Tournament 2004”):
  This cooperative survival horror game started as a mod for “Unreal Tournament 2004.” Its success led to the development of a standalone version, “Killing Floor.

• “Natural Selection” (Originally a Mod of “Half-Life”):
  Combining first-person shooter and real-time strategy elements, Natural Selection started as a “Half-Life” mod. It later evolved into a standalone game, “Natural Selection 2.”

These games are notable examples of how community-driven modifications can lead to major developments in the gaming industry, often creating new genres or subgenres and gaining massive followings.